Politicians sound off on Snowden

“People who think I made a mistake in picking HK as a location misunderstand my intentions. I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality,” Snowden said. “My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate. I have been given no reason to doubt your system.’’

Snowden said he plans to stay in Hong Kong until he is “asked to leave,” but that he thinks the U.S. government is “trying to bully the Hong Kong government” into extraditing him.

“The U.S. government will do anything to prevent me from getting this into the public eye, which is why they are pushing so hard for extradition,” he said.

The paper says the Chinese government “will seek to interfere in a likely extradition case” and that the Hong Kong government has so far refused to comment on the case. The Justice Department is reportedly preparing charges against Snowden. Due to Hong Kong’s reversion to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, it is not immediately clear which government would decide Snowden’s status. Hong Kong’s extradition treaty with the United States contains an exception for political crimes but Hong Kong could decide to expel him without turning him over to American authorities.

“I have had many opportunities to flee HK,” Snowden continued, adding he has committed no crimes in Hong Kong, “but I would rather stay and fight the United States government in the courts, because I have faith in Hong Kong’s rule of law.”

“As long as I am assured a free and fair trial, and asked to appear, that seems reasonable,” he said.

Snowden had been staying at a hotel in Hong Kong during the initial fallout from the leak, but had since checked out as people began to narrow in on his precise location. The former NSA contractor is hoping to seek asylum from any countries that “believe in free speech and oppose the victimization of global privacy,” (such as Hong Kong) to prevent his extradition to the United States to be charged for leaking the documents.

Snowden refused to comment on reports that Russia is considering offering him asylum.

“My only comment is that I am glad there are governments that refuse to be intimidated by great power.”

Should he be denied asylum, he could be brought back to the U.S. where he could face charges under the Espionage Act. It is still unclear what, precisely, the Justice Department intends to charge him with.

Snowden’s latest comments come after several lawmakers, including House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), called the former defense contractor a “traitor” and have called for his arrest.

Snowden said he has not spoken to his family, and is “worried about the pressure they are feeling from the FBI.”

As of 2p.m. on Wednesday, more than 60,000 people have signed a White House petition calling Snowden “a national hero” and saying he “should be immediately issued a a full, free, and absolute pardon for any crimes he has committed.” The petition must reach 100,000 signatures by July 9 before it warrants a response by the administration.

The South China Morning Post says it will release more details of their interview with Snowden throughout the day on Wednesday, including more information on the surveillance program and “his plans for the immediate future.” The paper also reports local activists plan to take to the streets on Saturday afternoon in support of Snowden, marching to the U.S. consulate.